Alomar leaving Tribe

Cleveland can’t afford veteran catcher

Cleveland  Not only is one of the Alomar brothers leaving Cleveland, the Indians are saying goodbye to a loyal member of their baseball family.

Sandy Alomar, a six-time All-Star during 11 seasons in Cleveland, has apparently played his last game for the Indians, who on Thursday acquired backup catcher Eddie Taubensee in a trade from Cincinnati.

Unable to re-sign Alomar, the Indians traded pitchers Jim Brower and Roberto Pugmire to the Reds for Taubensee, who began his career in Cleveland.

"It's very difficult to see it end this way," Alomar said.

Alomar had been with the Indians since 1989 when he came in a trade from San Diego.

Indians general manager John Hart said the club had been trying to workout a contract extension since the All-Star break with Alomar, whose base salary was $2.7 million last season. The Indians are believed to have made a final three-year, $6.5 million offer but were turned down.

Injuries limited Alomar to 97 games last season. The Indians will give Einar Diaz a chance to be their regular catcher this season.

Alomar's departure could be troubling to his brother, second baseman Roberto Alomar. He signed with the Indians before the 1999 season in part because he wanted to play with his brother.